Volkswagen Jetta Engine Questions

Comments

I have a 1998 Jetta 2.0 with 63,000 milles. It starts fine, but when accelerating the engine wants to die after about 2 seconds. If I take my foot off the accelerator at that time, it will not die and I can accelerate again for about another 2 seconds. Thid repeats at about 2 seconds the entire time I am driving. As long as I stop accelerating every 2 seconds, I can eventually get it up to speed, but if I try to continue to accelerate, it will die. The error codes scanned are P0103 & P1580. Did anyone else have these problems or have any ideas what may be the cause based on these codes?

Code 1580 says a throttle actuator problem. There are diagnostic procedures to test this but you need a tool like a VAG-COM. Jettas seem to throw this code a lot.. Also the P103 code is the MAF circuit input, which may be related, I'm not sure. You'd need a wiring diagram to see if these two components happen to have something else in common like a relay or ground wire or whatever.

You can always try to clean the throttle body and MAF sensor thoroughly (using the correct solvent).

A new actuator is very pricey. You don't want to be guessing on that part.

I have never heard of the throttle actuator going bad.... but it may be "out of sync" with the accelerator pedal. This could happen if somone mistakenly touches the accelerator pedal while starting the engine. (One should NEVER touch accelerator pedal when starting engine!!) Also, disconecting battery may lose the adaptation settings.

There is a procedure to re-synchronize the throttle-pedal to the throttle-plate. This procdure is called "throttle adaptation" by VW. Here is a synopsys of the "throttle adaptation" procedure from the Bently manual:

The above procedure also resets an automatic xmission to the default settings.

If the above does not help... you may wish to search the internet for "throttle adaptation" to learn more about it. Some folks have reported that they had to do other things (like disconect battery 1st, or leave key in "ON" position for 3 minutes before pressing pedal down.)

Hey, im curently having the same problems with my car. I have a 99 Jetta. (older body style) and it cuts out at 2-3 grand and maxs at 35-40mph. i changed my spark plugs, my wires, fuel filter, and nothing came out of it. a friend suggested coils like you had been suggessted. but you say it didnt help? another friend says cam sensor. did you find out what the problem was??? thankx for your time

Hi all. I'm having major problems. First let me say that I replaced an ignition coil a few months ago. I had a difficult time locating one. Once I changed it everything was fine. I did drive the car for more than a week with a bad coil though.

Last Thursday on my way home from work the engine started running rough and losing power. I figured it was a coil again. The next day I swapped out each coil with a good one with no change. I then changed the plugs. It ran rougher. Then ran a little smoother. Now it is very rough. I had the codes scanned at Advance Auto Parts. I'm getting P0172 - System Too Rich (Bank 1) and all four cylinders are misfiring. They keep switching around so I know its not the ignition coils.

I have read that the catalytic converter can be damaged when driving with a bad coil. I think the cat is bad and have ordered a universal one online. I drilled holes in the old one today hoping it would improve engine power. That was dumb. Loud but no change. I can't drive it anymore until I fix it. I can't afford to take it to a mechanic.

Could the problem be something other than the cat? Would a bad O2 senser cause the engine to misfire. I also have the rotten egg (exhaust smell). What causes the system to be too rich? Thanks

Try this, UNPLUG the electrical connector from the MAF and then start engine and drive for a couple days. (This will force the computer into "limp mode" and may turn on the CEL.) If it runs better, suspect that your MAF is sending bad signals to the computer and may be bad.

Many folks have reported that when MAF is bad, the engine will run BETTER with it disconnected thus forcing engine to run in "limp mode".

yes definitely a possibility. You need to get a handle on this car I think. It seems to be running away from you. Do you know of any VW specialty shop that has a mechanic who knows how to do step by step diagnosis? I sense that you are throwing parts at the car (and I know you're trying to do the right thing here) and I'd hate to see you waste more money than it might cost to pay a clever tech to straighten this puppy out once and for all.

perfectly normal for a couple seconds then falls off. Would a damaged/missing crankshaft positioning sensor allow that to happen? If I tap the accelerator irregularly it will sometimes rev up but always dies. There is a dent in the oil pan but not very large. I love this car (newly acquired). I can't help but think it's something simple (wishful?). I tried the accelerator "sync" procedure another member suggested, disconnected the battery.... It sure feels like a fuel issue. Any other ideas?

You're correct. I just didn't want to run into a huge bill. I cut the cat out today in anticipation of the new cat being delivered Monday. Still the same issues with the engine. It is still misfiring. I still think the cat was bad but there is something else wrong as well. How do I find out if either of the O2 sensors are bad? I looked at the hose from underneath; didn't see anything obvious. If I can get the new cat installed on Monday at least I avoided having to pay someone to do that. Then I can take it in and have it looked at if no one on this board has an obvious cause for me.

I am having some trouble. If i hook up the alternator, it will start but runs rough and if i push on the gas, it shuts off. However, if i disconnect the alt. it will run fine. I have replaced the coil, rotor,plugs, wires, distributor, starter alt ans battery. Could someone help me with this.

i have a 2001 wolfie that has 140000 miles on it i run strictly shell v-power and always couple valvoline syn power 5w 40 with a bosch 3421 filter and she still drives like new i just want to encourage people to not be cheap with preventative maintenance for example YES shell is more expensive than most BUT with a 14.5 gallon tank you look at a maximum of TWO dollars more at the pump each time multiply that by 50 and it costs 100 dollars A YEAR more to run v-power than the "best price" 91 octane which is the recommended fuel i have replaced the timing network on my car as per maintenance since i have owned it and that is the extent of the cars time spent in the shop.................just a thought if you are truly a v-dub lover its the least you can do for your car

The O2 sensors are much easier to test with a VagCom. Just plug your laptop into your VW and run diagnostics.

Dont forget that there are 2 types of O2 sensors. Some have a digital (on/off) type of output and other have an analog output. VW uses BOTH kinds of O2 sensors on some enginecodes.

If you REALLY want to test out the O2 sensors, you can collect data as you drive then graph the results on the screen when you get back home.

In the hands of a skilled user, the VagCom system can be used to efficently isolate almost any issue with your VW. I have diagnosed everything from bad MAF to burned out glowplugs and popped-off hoses. Even burned-out heated-review-mirrors can be located quickly. Faultcodes can be diagnosed and reset....etc etc.

You can even enable/disable any of the programmable options such as auto-door locks, beep when armed...etc.

I have a 2002 Jetter 1.8T. The check engine light keeps coming on. The code is P0171 running lean. One dealer had the car for three months replaced all kinds of parts. Carried to another VW dealer and they have replaced cat coverter, pulled the head and checked it (it was fine), have replaced several sensors and usually before we get home from the dealership the light is back on and with the same code. This time we drove the car for 166 miles before the light came back on, but it is back on again. I am getting really tired of it. It is getting very expensive. The car runs perfect, just the check engine light. Can you help me?

wow, thats a lot of money to toss into it and it not fix it. Have you tried cleaning the throttle and Mass Air flow sensor. I just put 1000 into my jetta just to find out that it is the voltage regulator wire bad, and i cant find another one. Really dont want to have to go thru the dealer if i can get out of it. A nieghbor wants to trade a 2001 dodge neon for my jetta, not sure about it though.Your problem could also be something in the fuel system too, always check the spark plugs gap too.

I have read through some of the other comments and tried the "throttle adaptation" that was discussed but it didn't really fix my problem. When I hit the accelerator my car takes off like a rocket and my tires squeal (my neighbors probably think I'm crazy) The engine seems to lope and then I loose my throttle completely. The car does not totally shut off, the throttle pedal just no longer works. This happens sometimes when I first take off and sometimes when I'm driving down the highway. Lately, it is happening non stop. I took the car into the dealer and they told me it was the MAF and oxygen sensors. The MAF has been replaced as well as both oxygen sensors and nothing has changed. The dealer also said the battery was bad so I replaced that also. I tried the "Throttle adaptation" that someone here described and it seemed to help the idle (the idle goes up and down erratically when I start the car). Does any one have any suggestions? I was going to go out and try checking on the vacuum hoses. Any input is appreciated. Also, I took the car over to Auto Zone on Friday and the following codes P1116 (Oxygen sensor heater circuit, open, P1118 Oxygen sensor heater circuit, open, P1542 Throttle actuator sensor,range or performance problem, P1545 Throttle valve actuator malfunction. Thanks to any input!!!

I was wondering if anybody knew the price range to get new turbo in my 2001 VW Jetta. The turbo that is in there right now is going out and is making a really nasty noise when the turbo should be kicking in. I received an estimate and they told me it would be about $1,000 to have it fixed. I was wondering how hard of a procedure is this to do and why does it cost so much? I know nothing about cars and I already had to spend about $2,800 to get it fixed because my timing belt went out and messed up all the valves... I am so disappointed. :sick:

I know nothing about cars and I already had to spend about $2,800 to get it fixed because my timing belt went out and messed up all the valves.

You don't need to know all that much to avoid problems like this. You really just need to follow the maintenance schedule. It is in the owners manual, if you don't have one you can also find the schedule on vw.com. That schedule would include replacing the timing belt, had you done that you'd have saved at least $2000.

bpebbles, thank you for your input. I had all of my codes erased(which had not been done since the MAF and O2 sensors were replaced. I did the throttle adaptation but it didn't last very long (5 min) and it now only threw two codes, the P1542 and the P1545. I have taken out the throttle pedal assembley and cleanrd the potentiometer and will be getting that back in the car this morning. One other question however dawned on me as I've been reading. I have also replaced the battery recently. Could that be messing up my throttle control module? I have read that it the ECM needs to be reset to it's basic codes after a battery replacement? If so, how do I get the basic codes and do they come with a Scan Tool if I purchase one at Autozone or other auto parts store? Thanks for any input!!

that's not a bad price to replace a turbo. Even if you took it off yourself and shipped it out for a rebuild, that would cost maybe $350. Not sure about labor rates to R&R this. I would think an independent shop might be able to do it somewhat cheaper.

Sounds like you need to step up the maintenance on this car. I hope you are using synthetic oil on that particular engine.